Newton’s Third Law

Newton’s Third Law

Learning Objectives Success Criteria
Understand Newton’s Third Law All – Define Newton’s Third Law
and draw accurate force diagrams Most – Draw accurate forces
to represent it. diagrams to represent Newton’s
Third Law
Some – Solve problems involving
Newton’s Third Law including
accurate force diagrams.
 Starter – For each example give the size
and direction of the reaction force

1. A man pushes against a 2. A person hits a nail with a 3. A woman stands on Earth
fridge freezer with a force of force of 75N, the nail does with a force of 630N. What is
500N. What is the reaction not move. What is the the reaction force?
force? reaction force?
What would happen if I increased the force What would happen if I decreased the force
exerted in each of these examples? exerted in each of these examples?

Newton’s 3rd Law

630N
-75N 75N
-500N 500N

-630N

From what you have learnt so far, come up with a definition for Newton’s
3rd Law.
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
Force Diagrams / Free Body Diagrams
What symbol do we use to represent a force?

The following rules must be applied when drawing force diagrams.

The arrow points in the direction the force acts.
The size of the arrow is proportional to its magnitude.
Always use a ruler to draw arrows.
Normally the arrows start at the source of the force.
 The mass of the glass and the water is
1kg calculate the weight and the reaction
force.
Example Problem
You rest an empty glass on the table,
draw a force diagram to represent this.
You must
Label the forces.
Draw accurate force arrows.
What can you say about the forces?
EXT – You now fill the glass with water,
repeat the drawing.
1. A person with mass 80kg stands on Earth, draw a force diagram labelling
all forces and values of each of the forces (stick men will suffice).
2. A person standing on a skateboard pushes against a wall with a force of
20N. Draw a force diagram for this scenario.
3. The value of the friction force is 30N. Add this to your diagram, does the
person move? Why?
4. The person now increases the force he pushes the wall with to 40N.
Redraw the force diagram, does the person move? Why?
Brain Teaser
Mr Fricker has two bar magnets, one is stronger than the other so can pick up
more paperclips. They are placed as so,

Will they attract each other with the same force?

If magnet A pulled magnet B more strongly than B pulled A, you could attach B to
the front of your car and lean out, holding A in front. Your car would move
effortlessly